Exploration

President Ross announces three-year degree option, major gift

At the State of the University address, Ross also announced $1 million gift for soccer stadium, approval of new master plan

Published Oct. 21, 2009

In his fourth annual State of the University address today, Lynn
University President Kevin M. Ross announced that the university will begin
offering a new three-year degree program that will save eligible undergraduate students
more than $45,000 on the cost of their degree at the private, not-for-profit
institution. Ross also used his annual address to faculty, staff and student
leaders, to announce a $1 million anonymous gift in support of a new Lynn
soccer stadium and introduced Lynn’s January Term speaker, philanthropist and
TOMS Shoes’ chief shoe giver, Blake Mycoskie.

But the major announcement of the day was the university’s upcoming
launch of a three-year degree program, which will debut in the fall of 2010. While
the program details are still being finalized, Ross said the program will be
aimed at allowing Lynn’s “most driven” students to complete their undergraduate
degree at Lynn in three years. The shortened timeframe will allow eligible
students to save, at a minimum, one year’s tuition and fees, as well as related
housing expenses.

“Today I am proud to announce our firm decision to offer eligible
students a three-year degree option, dubbed Lynn Degree 3.0, beginning in the
fall of next year,” said Ross. “We believe our adoption of a three-year degree
will make us even more attractive to potential students.”

Ross also used his annual speech to recap a successful year at the
institution, which included a $6.5 million fundraising effort and the ground
breaking on the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center and
Perper Tennis Complex, projects that are both being funded through the
generosity of donors and which will be opened to the public in the spring of
next year. Ross also highlighted the 2008 launching of the university’s new
undergraduate core curriculum – and Lynn’s inaugural January Term, as well as
the Fighting Knights’ NCAA Division II National Championship in baseball, among
other milestones.

New Lynn Master Plan approved

Ross also mentioned in his noon-time address the recent completion
of the university’s latest master plan, which was approved by the Board of
Trustees at their Friday, Oct. 16 meeting.

Key features of
the plan include a university center that serves as the real heart of the
campus, additional meeting rooms and workspaces, a wide range of new academic
buildings and athletic facilities, as well as other residential features.

At the
university’s urging, the plan also focuses on sustainable outcomes, setting
ambitious goals to significantly cut carbon emissions, water building use and
site water use, while increasing native plantings and reducing waste taken off
site. The plan will go to the City of Boca Raton for approval next month.

Lynn’s place in the national dialogue

But while Ross spent much of his address highlighting Lynn’s
recent successes and outlining new initiatives, the president also used the
opportunity to update the campus on goings-on at other institutions, both in
South Florida and across the country. In addition to discussing the swelling
enrollments at the nation’s public four-year institutions, the continued
expansion of the for-profit sector, and the move by many Florida community
colleges to start offering bachelor’s degrees, Ross also mentioned the White
House challenge to see more Americans earning college degrees within the next
decade.

“We will certainly have a role to play in that,” he said. “And I
know we’re up to the challenge.”

Ross, now in his fourth year as president, ended his speech by reminding
the 350 staff and faculty in the university’s Green Center of their
role in helping the institution continue in its mission to serve students, the
local community, the country, and the world at large.

“Lynn
will continue to offer the education, environment and support that the students
of today require to succeed tomorrow – whatever that tomorrow looks like,” said
Ross, referencing the current economic downturn. “And because of that, I still
can say that the state of our university is strong. Thank you each again for
all you do for our university.”